Kitchen Appliance Energy Conservation Tips

By
Lon Lockwood
|August 19, 2013

Do you own a refrigerator or a dishwasher? If you answered yes to either or both of these, pay close attention. Large kitchen appliances are most often energy guzzlers, but with these conservation tips you can help cut down on your monthly bills.

Refrigerators

Take a look at the EnergyGuide label on your refrigerator, it tells you how much electricity in kilowatt-hours (kWh) that particular model uses. The smaller the number, the less energy the refrigerator uses. To cut down on energy consumption:

Check to make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. You can test this by placing a dollar bill so it’s half in and half out of the fridge when the door is closed. If you can easily pull the bill out, your doors may need to be adjusted.

When storing food in the fridge, make sure they are sealed properly. Uncovered foods can release moisture which will make the compressor work harder.

Dishwashers

The majority of the energy used by your dishwasher is to heat the water. Once again, take a look at the EnergyGuide label to see how much power is needed to run your appliance per year. To save on water heating:

Check the manual to see what water temperature the manufacturer recommends. Most dishwashers have internal heating elements that allow you to set the temperature.

Don’t run a dishwasher that isn’t full – but keep in mind that an overloaded dishwasher can be detrimental.

Avoid using the “rinse hold” feature on your machine. Each time you do, 3-7 gallons of hot water are used.

By following these tips, you should see a lesser total on your energy bills each month. It’s important to be aware of your energy consumption patterns in order to make necessary adjustments. Need electrical repairs or installation in Rochester, NY? Call on the experts at Lon Lockwood Electric. Remember to connect with us on Twitter for more electrical news!